Good Use for a factory Headunit? How about to mask your new DVD/NAV headunit.
To do this I removed the faceplate from the factory unit. I removed the circuit crad and switch parts except for the switch faces. I then ground away the back of the faceplate and switches until I was starting to hit the clear display window on the inside (try not to hit this but if you do when you paint it black on the inside most gouges will go away). At this thickness what remains can nest pretty nicely in the radio opening of the dash. After grinding you will need to glue all the switches from behind so they don’t fall out. I used a 2 part structural adhesive called speed grip by Norton, but JB Weld or any similar heavy bodied adhesive should work. For the dial **** I cut a small piece of a coke can and glued it into the hole from behind. I then glued the **** to the front of the piece of can. I also used a rectangular surround piece that was in the DVD unit box (not needed in the Scion dash) glued to the back to help keep the fake radio centered on the DVD unit. You could easily make something similar with some small strips of plexiglass (easy to work with). See the following pics.


Now you see the headunit.


Now you don’tJ


Faceplate destroyed but usefull


Completed mask

 

LOL I was thinking about doing this later, maybe if we tried to mod the center console a little we could make a lid with the face plate like on the tC. lol, either that or we could have a fun paper weight!

 

Nice! I've seen that before actually, but not with the glow coming out of the cd slot...

 

LOL, Yeah but with the unit turned off a thief isnt going to take a second look:0

 

Haha! That's very creative! I like it!

I've had people ask me to install their new aftermarket radio so it's hidden, and leave the factory radio in the dash.

 

hmm.. my buddy down in san diego's been doing that for awhile now to cover up his d1

 

Very cool!

I have been considering this mod also. Great job, BTW! Probably going to eBay a stock radio so I don't chum up my iPod HU.

What holds the "fakeplate" up to the dash?

I am thinking on using rare earth/neo magnets They come in small-1/4"~1/2"-diameters. They would be strong enough to put inside the trim, unseen, but still hold the front on through the thickness of plastic.

As far as the CD slot, I am considering a thin piece of black fabric...or a double row of pipe cleaners/velvet painted black!

Dang, thats cool! Well done!

 

You should put some black felt or velvet on the back of the OEM faceplate so it doesn't scratch your aftermarket unit

 

Nothing holds it up it simply sits there. The rectangular mounting flange I glued to the back keeps it centered. This same flange also keeps it from actually touching the HU (it sits against the filler pieces next to the HU). It wont stay in place when you drive if you accelerate fast (but I never drive without my radio on anyway).

Covering the CD slot really isnt necessary. When the DVD unit is off, the CD slot looks black (which is normal).

 

awesome idea!

 

Those could damage the LCD screen. How about using those non slip pads they have for the top dash of cars? You see the commercials where people put their cell phones, coins, kids, pens, etc... so they won't slide around.

 

^^Good call!

You're absolutely correct about magnets and the screen.

 

well i fixed the snug fit problem. I glued a strip of some soft foam along the top lip so it pinches my hu face. I also put a layer of felt along the inside of the false face to elimanate the chace of scratching. Ill post pics tonight.

and yes...i had to kill my scion ipod HU to so this

 

 

Yup!! and perhaps another DVD unit is saved from prying eyes...and more importantly from prying fingers

 

^may i say again that ur paint job ur doin is amazing. If i lived in georgia i would have u do mine

 

damn damn damn~ and all I did w/ MY stock radio was see how far I could punt it, with an aluminum baseball bat :*(

 

how could you chop the iPod HU up? Terrible Ted, where did u find that House Of Kolor paint booth thing? I wanna try it out.

 

That's an awesome idea man! Kudos